What if? Part 1
September 15, 2023 · Jonathan R. Card
This is the first part of our series about emerging opportunities in downtown San Antonio. Read the second part here.
With the recent speculation around big downtown projects, our studio can't help but jump into the fray to ask, What if?
Dreamers and doers have taken risks throughout San Antonio’s history. Their contributions are so fundamental to our community that we almost take them for granted, but things could easily have turned out differently.
Construction of the San Antonio River Walk
We want to look back at our city’s turning points to ask this simple question. What if…
…local businessmen had paved over the river that is now the San Antonio Riverwalk?
…Hemisfair Park was judged purely on its profitability as a World’s Fair?
…Mayor Henry Cisneros hadn't pushed for construction of the Alamodome, believing South Texas could support an NFL team?
…city leaders hadn’t pushed to protect downtown and the Riverwalk from flooding, with the construction of the San Antonio River Tunnel?
…Kit Goldsbury had listened to advisors who told him purchasing the defunct Pearl Brewery was a losing proposition?
…Mayor Hardberger hadn't pushed for the green belt extension of the Riverwalk north and south?
Pearl at San Antonio Riverwalk Museum Reach (via Flickr)
Though, as with everything that shapes our community, sometimes the results are mixed. We’re also reflecting on the transformative opportunities our city has missed. What if…
…the University of Texas San Antonio had been planted adjacent to downtown at its inception?
…equitable, accessible public transportation was installed and maintained in the central business district?
…the first time NBA Champion Spurs were rewarded with a proper stadium within our city center?
…a sports district, including an expandable baseball stadium, was built in the urban core?
Frost Center on San Antonio’s East Side (via KENS5)
Additionally, we looked at other cities’ successes to improve life in San Antonio? What if…
…workforce housing was prioritized alongside new hotels?
…neighborhoods were reconnected via creative land planning?
…the City of San Antonio led the creation of a public parking utility via a network of strategically placed city-owned garages and lots?
It's fun to bicker and banter over tacos regarding what could be. It’s also critical to consider the real world effects of dreaming big. Over the next few posts, we’re taking our words a step further and illustrating possibilities.
We look forward to continuing this discussion in imagining what San Antonio could be if we only asked, What if?